As I was walking to my workplace, I was met by Madeline.
“You don’t look well, Lorenzo.” She said, her face as blank as the rest of us there. “Why don’t you go home.”
I stopped walking. I understood exactly what she meant. The investigators were surely at my desk, sweeping up everything they could. Just as I was about to turn back, I caught a glimpse of the detective without his fedora—clearly this time. He was my brother, Matteo. He’d grown into his features, but I was certain it was him. Fortunately, Madeline got in his way, so he began asking her questions.
I turned my back and just kept walking, then I stopped. I saw Madeline get into my brother’s car. He was holding my ID badge.
“You don’t really know who he is, do you, Madeline?” he asked with a smug look on his face.
I grabbed my phone and called Niccolo.
“Niccolo, I need you to be yourself today.” I told him.
“You know I was never good at that.” He answered.
“The investigators will be there soon,” I told him. “I’m meant to be sick.”
“How long have I got?”
“Not long.”
As soon as the call ended, I rushed home and entered through the back door. Madeline and my brother had already arrived. I shoved myself into a small corner. That was the first time I saw Niccolo sitting on the couch. He must have rushed to throw himself out of his wheelchair and drag himself into that position.
“Come in!” Niccolo welcomed his guests. “Where’s my hello?”
“Good to see you’re feeling better.” Madeline said in a flat tone.
“Who’s this with you?” Niccolo said, holding Madeline’s hand.
“It’s about the Launch Director.” She replied.
“The Director—again?”
“Hope it’s not a bother.” Matteo sat down in front of them.
“No, not at all. I’d be glad to help.”
“Can’t we do this another time, Detective?” Madeline interrupted. “Lorenzo might not be in his best health right now.”
“I’m perfectly fine, sweetheart.”
Matteo took a syringe from his pocket and proceeded to draw Niccolo’s blood. His face was etched with skepticism. He pulled out an identity scanner and placed the syringe against it.
“Subject: Lorenzo Niccolo De Sanctis,” the scanner echoed. “Valid.”
“What were you expecting, Detective?” Niccolo said, with a faint grin on his face.
Matteo put his device in his pocket and stood up from his seat. He began searching the house for anything even slightly suspicious. Just as he was about to find me, he received a phone call.
“I’ll be right there.” He said.
He turned back and left the house abruptly.
“How’d you get there, Lorenzo?” I finally showed myself.
“Well, you know, I’ve been faking it.” He replied sarcastically “I could always walk.”
I looked at Madeline. Tears were forming in her eyes, then she left without a word.
“Madeline.” I called out to her. “Madeline!”
“Don’t come near me. I don’t even know who you are.”
“I’m the same person I was yesterday.” I said as my brow furrowed.
“The same man who had been lying all along.” She turned her back.
I held her hand. “My name is Marcus Sullivan. I was born an Invalid.” I felt the tears forming in my eyes as I stared into hers. “I’m an Invalid, not a murderer.”
“You’re not a Valid?”
“I know we have one thing in common, a beating heart.” I placed her hand onto my chest. “Only mine is already ten thousand beats overdue.”
“That’s not possible.” She said.
“It’s not possible by the system, you and I both know that. But I’m here because I proved the authorities wrong.” I held her gaze, though her eyes kept slipping away. “Believe when I say that it’s possible.” I slowly let go of her hand. “It is possible, Madeline.”
She turned away with tears in her eyes.